Last fish of 2011 and first fish 2012!!!!

[Brian R. Brennan]

        Happy New Year,

 

    After a very unseasonable warm run of weather I was finally able to get out on Lake Hopatcong. I had last fished the lake back on 12/13/11 or so. With 50'F air temps and 40'F water temps I was excited to fish. I elected to fish the same bay that held alot of yellow perch three weeks ago. Caught many large yellow perch and quite a few nice pickerel. The fish were out in front of docks and bulkheads in 6ft to 8ft of water. The Berkley power grub in melon pepper and the Charlie Brewer Slider grub were getting the job done for me. Both were fished on my matched set of G. Loomis TSR801-2 Daiwa Exist native custom 1003H. The secret was to count the lure down to at least 5ft...Slowroll retrieve with subtle shakes and pauses. In the end I had 40 fish. 32 Yellow Perch and 8 pickerel. Fellow member Noel Sell caught 28 fish including a lovely 1.5 to 1.75lb perch and a 3lb pickerel. Almost all his fish came on a Berkley powerbait ripple shad in firetiger. He also used G. Loomis ul rods and Daiwa Certate 1003 and 1500 reels.

   Today I fished solo winds were up and did not do quite as well, but still not bad. 23 Yellow Perch and 2 pickerel. So I am on the board for 2012! Same Lures and rods as yesterday. If the water does freeze I will try again next week. If not next reports will be ice fishing. Might actually have some bluegills to report on then....lol.

Hope you enjoy the pictures.

 

                                                                                                                    Brian

[dick tabbert]

Looks like the lake is a quality fishery with the fish to boot. Nice job hope you have continued luck. GOOD FISHIN..

[Jeffrey D. Abney]

Nice report Brian, looks like you and Noel had a nice day on the lake....Nice Photos!

[Leo Nguyen]

Nice catches. Man, wish we have those boys over here. Would be nice catching and good eating.

[Jim Gronaw]

Very excellent winter fishing in the open water. Half the battle is to have decent enough weather and then just get out there and give it a try! Congrats!